THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR IT CONSULTANT:

1. Make sure the consultant specializes in the area of YOUR needs

Many IT companies or consultants focus on what industry or vertical. That's great if it happens to be your vertical. Ideally, your IT consultant would be well versed and an expert at many industries. Does he/she know your work flow and processes? Do they understand the challenges that your industry faces? Are they familiar with software, hardware and programs that you use? Take a look at their website for a list of their customers and make sure you ask for a reference from someone in your industry.

2. Make sure that the IT consultant works with small/medium-sized businesses

Are you a small business? A medium sized business? Small business technology needs are different than large business technology needs. If the consultant has worked primarily for large businesses, then he/she may be more likely to set you up with more technology than you need, at a higher cost than you can afford.

3. Hire a professional

Just like in most things you get what you pay for. If your IT project is critical to your business, hire a professional to set it up correctly the first time and have them train someone else that you work with. You invest a little more upfront but can save big money in the long run.

4. Don’t be blind sided by unexpected costs

Find out upfront what services the consultant will provide and get it in writing. You need to know upfront what you can expect to receive for your money. Some IT consultants set up hardware or software and then leave without having properly trained your employees on how to use it. Ask the consultant to be specific about the services he/she will provide... getting it in writing is critical.

5. Make sure that the IT consultant is not a sales rep for another company

How many of you have had sales reps approach you with some software that will help you grow? Well that is their job... to sell you software. Their job is to listen to your business plan and your tech problems and tailor his pitch to address all of your concerns no matter what you say.

A good IT consultant will recommend to you to purchase or use whatever technology or software that is right for your business, regardless of the name on the box. Be aware of the rep tech guru... ask them straight up.

6. Make sure the IT consultant speaks your language

Communication is the key to any relationship. If your consultant can’t explain to you why or how he is doing something a certain way, then you don’t know if what he is doing is the right thing for your business. You don’t need to understand HOW IT consultants do it, but as a business owner you need to understand WHY.

7. Your IT consultant should be willing to create a master plan

Your IT consultant should have a plan for the present and the future on how to manage your IT systems and needs. If they are not showing you what your IT plan needs to be, then that’s a problem or at least a red flag. You then should ask them to create a plan and if they are unwilling, then you probably should not hire them.

8. You don’t have to spend a fortune

When you work with an IT consultant, tell them your budget and ask them to recommend a plan of action. You don’t have to build or set-up the whole system right away. You can start small and add on new technologies as the budget allows. The key is to set up the plan so that you can add new technologies without affecting the existing ones.

9. Don’t become dependent on your IT consultant

Ask to be involved. It is very easy for an IT consultant to make you dependant on them. If you don’t get involved after the planning phase, the IT consultant may build in complexities into the system that if you don’t know about, you’ll have no choice but to regularly call them in at their hourly rate.

Tip: Make sure that you sign a contract with your IT company and make sure that you own the Intellectual Property for anything that you custom build.

10. If you find someone good, stay with them

Once you find someone that you work well with, develop the relationship and stay with them. Not only will you have a good relationship, you will also save money on updates and upgrades because the IT consultant knows your set-up.